Whiting Petroleum spikes higher off early low, levels to watchShares have turned positive on the day in the last ten minutes, spiking higher to $37.83. At that price initial resistance is at the high of the day at $38.13 and then at $39.29. The $40 level remains the key test of resistance and would be the line at which a bullish breakout could take place out of the months-long range. Support is at $37.62, the prior day close.

Amended settlement agreement announced between Credit Suisse, FreeportOn March 16, an Addendum to the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, Compromise and Release was entered into with respect to the consolidated stockholder derivative litigation captioned In Re: Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) Derivative Litigation, C.A. No. 8145-VCN. The Addendum modifies the terms of the settlement in order to resolve potential derivative claims against Credit Suisse Securities (CS) in connection with its engagement to act as lead financial advisor to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Freeport-McMoRan with respect to the company’s 2013 acquisitions of Plains Exploration & Production Company and McMoRan Exploration Co., which potential claims were previously excluded from the settlement as set forth in the Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, Compromise and Release filed on January 15. As set forth in the Addendum, the original settlement consideration will be increased by $16.25M, consisting of a $10M cash payment to the company by Credit Suisse, and a credit of $6.25M to be redeemable by the company in connection with future assignments Credit Suisse performs. The Supplemental Cash Amount, together with the original settlement amount, less plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and expenses as awarded by the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, will be distributed to the company’s stockholders as a special dividend. The settlement is subject to specified conditions, including final approval by the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. The settling defendants and Credit Suisse vigorously deny all allegations of wrongdoing or fault but entered into the settlement to avoid the costs and distraction of continued litigation.